Seat assist device
A seat assist device is described. The seat assist device includes a base, a lift platform having a front portion and a rear portion, with the front portion of the lift platform being pivotally connected with the base. A lifting arm is connected with the rear portion of the lift platform. The lifting arm extends from the lift platform to project beyond the front potion of the lift platform, with the lifting arm terminating in handles for grasping by a user. A lift bar is pivotally connected between the base and the lifting arm, whereby a user sitting upon the seat assist device can press downward on the handles to cause the rear portion of the lift platform to rise and, in doing so, assist the user in rising from a seated position.
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The present application is a Non-Provisional Utility patent application of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/070,815, filed on Sep. 8, 2014.
This is ALSO a Non-Provisional Utility patent application of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/179,713, filed on May 18, 2015.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION(1) Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a portable seat assist device and, more particularly, to a portable device that can be used with a broad range of furniture for assisting a user in lowering to a seated position and raising from the seated position.
(2) Description of Related Art
Seat assist devices have long been known in the art and are generally used to assist handicapped, overweight, and elderly individuals in sitting down and rising from a seated position.
Such seat assist devices are often designed as dedicated furniture pieces that provide a lifting function. For example, powered cushion chairs are commonly employed to provide the user with a desired seat assist action while also providing a comfortable furniture piece. Such powered cushion chairs typically operate through a powered lift actuator and scissor mechanism. During operation, the actuator and scissor mechanism lift and tilt the entire chair, thereby enabling a user to easily sit down and rise from the seated position. A problem with such dedicated furniture pieces is that they are large, expensive, and certainly not portable as they are incorporated into a single piece of furniture.
To address the need of cost and portability, a few devices have been conceived that are portable and can be used on a broad range of furniture. While smaller and portable, such portable devices are either powered or use a passive energy storing mechanism, such as springs. The powered options require electricity and some power source and, due to their powered mechanisms, are relatively expensive and have additional components prone to breakage. Alternatively, the spring-assisted seat devices require adjustment to match the spring forces to the weight of the occupant and, again, have several unreliable components.
Thus, a continuing need exists for a seat assist device that provides the ability to assist a user in sitting or rising solely based on the user's weight as opposed to some alternative power source.
SUMMARY OF INVENTIONThe present invention is directed to a seat assist device. The seat assist device includes a base, a lift platform having a front portion and a rear portion, with the front portion of the lift platform being pivotally connected with the base. A lifting arm is connected with the rear portion of the lift platform. The lifting arm extends from the lift platform to project beyond the front portion of the lift platform, with the lifting arm terminating in handles for grasping by a user. A lift bar is pivotally connected between the base and the lifting arm, whereby a user sitting upon the seat assist device can press downward on the handles to cause the rear portion of the lift platform to rise and, in doing so, assist the user in rising from a seated position.
In another aspect, the seat assist device includes a slide slideably connected with the lifting arm, and wherein the lift bar is pivotally connected with the slide, thereby pivotally connecting the lift bar with the lifting arm.
In yet another aspect, the seat assist device includes a limit strap connected with and between the base and lifting arm, the limit strap operable for limiting upward motion of the rear portion of the lift platform.
In another aspect, the seat assist device includes pinch guards attached with the base, the pinch guards being positioned proximate the lift bar to prevent fingers from getting pinched between the lift platform and the base.
In another aspect, the seat assist device includes a slide stop attached with the lifting arm, the slide stop being a protrusion on the lifting arm to prevent forward motion of the slide.
Additionally, the slide is slideable between a folded position in which the slide is slid backwards along the lifting arm and a ready position in which the slide is drawn forward as the user lifts the handles.
In another aspect, the seat assist device includes a slide lock attaching with the lifting arm, the slide lock being formed to selectively lock the slide in place with respect to the lifting arm.
Further, the lifting arm is pivotally connected with the rear portion of the lift platform via a P-strap hinge.
In yet another aspect, the lift platform is shaped as a toilet seat.
In another aspect, the base further includes frame members formed to elevate the lift platform and position the lift platform over a toilet.
Finally, as can be appreciated by one in the art, the present invention also comprises a method for forming and using the invention described herein.
The objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed descriptions of the various aspects of the invention in conjunction with reference to the following drawings, where:
FIG. SB is a plan-view illustration of the base, depicting strap fixtures connected with the base;
The present invention relates to a portable seat assist device and, more particularly, to a portable device that can be used with a broad range of furniture for assisting a user in lowering to a seated position and raising from the seated position. The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and to incorporate it in the context of particular applications. Various modifications, as well as a variety of uses in different applications will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to a wide range of embodiments. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments presented, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.
In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without necessarily being limited to these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form, rather than in detail, in order to avoid obscuring the present invention.
The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with this specification and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference. All the features disclosed in this specification, (including any accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is only one example of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.
Furthermore, any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. Section 112, Paragraph 6. In particular, the use of “step of” or “act of” in the claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, Paragraph 6.
Please note, if used, the labels left, right, front, back, top, bottom, forward, reverse, clockwise and counter clockwise have been used for convenience purposes only and are not intended to imply any particular fixed direction. Instead, they are used to reflect relative locations and/or directions between various portions of an object.
(1) Description
Described is a seat assist device that can be used with a broad range of furniture for assisting a user in lowering to a seated position and rising from the seated position. To be contrasted with the prior art, the seat assist device described herein does not use any power or spring actuated mechanism to lower and lift the user. Instead and as will be apparent to the reader, the seat assist devices uses the user's own weight to control the lowering and lifting operations. As shown in
The base 102 is any stable mechanism or device that provides a stable base from which the lift platform 104 can pivot. For example and as depicted, the base 102 can be formed as a metal frame, or as a plastic or metal panel. In other non-limiting examples and as described in further examples below, the base 102 can be the frame of a chair, a toilet bowl attachment, a chair frame for sliding over a toilet, or any other stable component. The lift platform 104 is any platform that is sufficiently strong to lift a user, a non-limiting example of which includes a plastic seat-shaped platform. Other non-limiting examples of suitable lift platforms 104 and as described in further examples below include the lift platform 104 being formed as a toilet seat and a chair seat (e.g., made of plastic, wood, metal, fiberglass, etc.).
A lifting arm 106 is connected with the lift platform 104 to lift the lift platform 104 from a ready position (as depicted in
In some embodiments, the lifting arm 106 is connected with a rear portion 107 of the lift platform 104 to lift the rear portion 107 and, in doing so, tilt the lift platform 104 to the lift position. The lifting arm 106 is connected with the rear portion 107 using any suitable mechanism or device for connecting two components. For example and in some embodiments, a pivotal connector 110 is included that provides for a pivotal connection between a rear section 111 of the lifting arm 106 and the rear portion 107 of the lift platform. A non-limiting example of such a pivotal connector 110 includes a P-Strap Hinge that pivots around the lifting arm 106 and is thru-bolted to the lift platform 104.
The lifting arm 106 extends around or otherwise from the lift platform 104 to project beyond a front portion 109 of the lift platform 104. The lifting arm 106 terminates in handles 112 for grasping by a user. In some embodiments, the handles 112 are optionally pivotally connected with the lifting arm 106 (via a pivotal connector 118, such as a hinge, bolt, etc.) to allow the handles 112 to be rotated 120 out of position and out of the way when not in use. By rotating 120 the handles 112 back on top of the lifting arm 106, the handles 112 no longer extend from the seat assist device 100 and, as such, do not provide an obstruction to positioning of the device 100. For example, if the seat assist device 100 were placed on a common wheelchair seat, the handles 112 could prevent the wheelchair from being positioned next to and partially under a dining table. By rotating 120 the handles 112 out of position and over the lifting arm 106, such a wheelchair could still be easily positioned next to a dining table, thereby increasing its utility and comfort for the user. It should be understood that there are other techniques by which the handles 112 can be selectively moved or reduced in size, non-limiting examples of which include telescoping handles, or handles 112 that swing out and around laterally instead of rotating 120 on top of the lifting arm 106.
Pivotally connected between the base 102 and lifting arm 106 is a lift bar 108. In some embodiments, the lift bar 108 is connected with the base 102 and lifting arm 106 such that it is positioned between the front portion 109 and rear portion 107 of the lift platform 104 to provide a fulcrum about which the lifting arm 106 pivots. Thus, by pressing downward 114 on the handles 112, the rear section 111 of the lifting arm 106 is forced upwards 116, which in turn lifts the rear portion 107 of the lift platform 104 to the lift position. It should be noted that although term “bar” is used for the lift bar 108, the invention is not strictly limited to a “bar” (e.g., metal pipe), as any other suitably shaped item can be used to provide the fulcrum effect of the lift bar 108. Thus, although in some embodiments the lift bar 108 is an actual bar shaped item, in other embodiments the lift bar 108 can be any other suitably shaped item to provide the fulcrum action, such as a pyramid or pie shaped item, etc.
To prevent the lift platform 104 from over extending when in the lift position, any suitable limiter can be included. For example, a limit strap 122 (e.g., one inch flat nylon webbing, etc.) can be connected (via screws, strapping around, etc.) with and between the base 102 and lifting arm 106. The limit strap 122 operates to limit the upward motion of the rear portion 107 of the lift platform 104. These aspects are further depicted in
For further understanding,
For example,
The pinch guards 400 are also shown in
In some embodiments and as shown in
FIG. SB, for example, depicts the base 102 with the pair of strap fixtures 504. In some embodiments, the strap fixtures 504 are affixed with a screw 520 or rivet that allow the strap fixtures 504 to pivot. As noted above, the strap fixtures 504 can be used to affix the seat assist device 100 with a chair. The strap fixtures 504 can also be employed as a safety belt for a user and can act as a carry strap during transport.
As noted above, the seat assist device 100, in some embodiments, is operable for transitioning between the folded position to the ready position, and from the ready position to the lifted position. These aspects are further illustrated in
This is further illustrated in
Referring again to the slide lock,
As a user slides the slide 604 into position, the spring-loaded detent 720 is allowed to pass through the hole 722 and lock the slide 604 in place. This is further depicted in
Referring again to
For further understanding,
As shown in
As shown in
It should be noted that the seat assist device 100 can be used and implemented in a variety of applications according to the principles of the present invention. For example,
As yet another example,
As yet another example and as depicted in
For example and as depicted between in
Another example of the seat assist device 100 is depicted in
Another example of the seat assist device 100 is depicted in
Further, the lift platform 104 operates as a seat upon which a user can comfortably sit. When it is desired to lift oneself, the user can simple press down on the handles 112, which causes the rear portion 107 of the lift platform 104 (i.e., the chair seat) to lift 116 and tilt forward since the front portion 109 of the lift platform 104 is pivotally connected 1714 with the base 102.
Another example of the seat assist device 100 is depicted in
Another example of the seat assist device 100 is depicted in
While several aspects of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is understood that various modifications might be made. Accordingly, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment(s), but rather it is intended to include all embodiments which would be apparent to one skilled in the art and which come within the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims
1. A seat assist device, comprising:
- a base;
- a lift platform having a front portion and a rear portion, with the front portion of the lift platform being pivotally connected with the base;
- a lifting arm connected with the rear portion of the lift platform, the lifting arm extending from the lift platform to project to a point horizontally beyond the front potion of the lift platform, with the lifting arm terminating in handles for grasping by a user; and
- a lift bar connected between the base and the lifting arm, the lift bar providing, a fulcrum about which the lifting arm pivots, such that pressing downward on the handles causes, the lifting arm to pivot about the fulcrum and force the rear portion of the lift platform to rise, whereby a user sitting upon the seat assist device can press downward on the handles to cause the rear portion of the lift platform to rise and, in doing so, assist the user in rising from a seated position;
- a slide slideably connected with the lifting arm, and wherein the lift bar is pivotally connected with the slide, thereby pivotally connecting the lift bar with the lifting arm;
- a limit strap connected with and between the base and lifting arm, the limit strap operable for limiting upward motion of the rear portion of the lift platform;
- pinch guards attached with the base, the pinch guards being positioned proximate the lift bar to prevent fingers from getting pinched between the lift platform and the base;
- a slide stop attached with the lifting arm, the slide stop being a protrusion on the lifting arm to prevent forward motion of the slide; and
- wherein the slide is slideable between a folded position in which the slide is slid backwards along the lifting arm and a ready position in which the slide is drawn forward as the user lifts the handles.
2. The seat assist device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a slide lock attaching with the lifting arm, the slide lock being formed to selectively lock the slide in place with respect to the lifting arm.
3. The seat assist device as set forth in claim 2, wherein the lifting arm is pivotally connected with the rear portion of the lift platform via a P-strap hinge.
4. A seat assist device, comprising:
- a base;
- a lift platform having a front portion and a rear portion, with the front portion of the lift platform being pivotally connected with the base;
- a lifting arm connected with the rear portion of the lift platform, the lifting arm extending from the lift platform to project to a point horizontally beyond the front potion of the lift platform, with the lifting arm terminating in handles for grasping, by a user;
- a lift bar connected between the base and the lifting arm, the lift bar providing a fulcrum about which the lifting arm pivots, such that pressing downward on the handles causes the lifting arm to pivot about the fulcrum and force the rear portion of the lift platform to rise, whereby a user sitting upon the seat assist device can press downward on the handles to cause the rear portion of the lift platform to rise and, in doing so, assist the user in rising from a seated position; and
- further comprising a slide slideably connected with the lifting arm, and wherein the lift bar is pivotally connected with the slide, thereby pivotally connecting the lift bar with the lifting arm, and wherein the slide is slideable between a folded position in which the slide is slid backwards along the lifting arm and a ready position in which the slide is drawn forward as the user lifts the handles.
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Type: Grant
Filed: Sep 4, 2015
Date of Patent: Mar 20, 2018
Patent Publication Number: 20160067125
Assignee: SPLANE DESIGN ASSOCIATES, INC. (Valley Center, CA)
Inventors: Robson Lindsay Splane, Jr. (Valley Center, CA), David A. Chen (Long Beach, CA)
Primary Examiner: Brian E Glessner
Assistant Examiner: Adam G Barlow
Application Number: 14/846,008
International Classification: A61G 5/14 (20060101); A47K 13/10 (20060101);